Why Your Spam Filter Isn't Enough and What to Do Instead

Generate temporary email addresses for online registrations to keep your main inbox clean.

1. 1
   Choose a disposable email service — Pick a service like Temp Mail or Guerrilla Mail—they provide random addresses that expire after a set time.
2. 2
   Use it for non-essential sign-ups — When signing up for newsletters, free trials, or one-time downloads, enter the disposable address instead of your real one.
3. 3
   Let it expire — Ignore the disposable inbox after you get the confirmation email. It'll self-destruct, cutting off spam at the source.

Avoid interacting with spam emails, as clicks can confirm your address is active and lead to more spam.

1. 1
   Recognize suspicious emails — Look for red flags: generic greetings ('Dear User'), poor grammar, urgent demands, or sender addresses that don't match the company name.
2. 2
   Mark as spam without opening — If it looks fishy, don't open it—just select and mark it as spam in your email client. This trains your filter without engaging.
3. 3
   Delete en masse periodically — Once a week, scan your spam folder for any false positives, then empty it to keep your account clean.
4. 4
   Report phishing if needed — For emails pretending to be from banks or official services, use your email provider's 'Report phishing' option to help block future attempts.
5. 5
   Educate others in your household — Share this rule with family or coworkers who use shared accounts to prevent accidental clicks that increase spam for everyone.

Add an extra security layer to prevent hackers from accessing your email and using it to send spam.

1. 1
   Go to your email security settings — In Gmail, click your profile > Manage your Google Account > Security > 2-Step Verification. In Outlook, go to Settings > Security & privacy.
2. 2
   Choose an authentication method — Opt for an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy over SMS, as apps are more secure against SIM-swapping attacks.
3. 3
   Scan the QR code and save backup codes — Use your app to scan the code, then write down or store the backup codes in a safe place in case you lose your phone.
4. 4
   Test the setup — Log out and log back in to ensure 2FA works—you'll need to enter a code from the app each time from new devices.

Remove your email from unused services and monitor breaches to reduce exposure to spammers.

1. 1
   Check for data breaches — Use a site like Have I Been Pwned to see if your email was in any known breaches. If yes, change passwords for those accounts immediately.
2. 2
   Delete old accounts — List services you no longer use—old shopping sites, forums, etc. Visit their settings to delete your account or at least unsubscribe from emails.
3. 3
   Update privacy settings — On active accounts, go to privacy settings and opt out of sharing your email with third parties or marketing lists.
4. 4
   Use a password manager — Tools like Bitwarden or 1Password generate strong, unique passwords for each site, reducing breach risks that lead to spam.
5. 5
   Monitor email forwarding rules — Check your email settings for any suspicious forwarding rules set by hackers—spammers sometimes use these to redirect your emails.
6. 6
   Consider a paid email service — Services like ProtonMail or Fastmail offer better spam filters and privacy controls, though they cost a few euros a month.
7. 7
   Set a calendar reminder — Schedule a quarterly review to repeat these steps, as new breaches and accounts can pop up over time.